The women’s softball team had a three game series versus Little Three rival Williams College this past weekend. The Ephs swept the Cardinals in all three games by scores of 4-18, 5-9, and 1-10, respectively.
In the only home game of the series, the Ephs came out on fire by earning 5 hits and 4 runs in the opening inning. Wesleyan was able to cut down the lead after Jill Gately ’15 brought home Tori Redding ’13, who was on third base after ripping a triple. Unfortunately, that was the closest the Cardinals got to evening the score, as Williams added 14 more runs throughout the game. In a last-ditch effort, Wesleyan tallied three additional runs for the day. One came from Chrissy Bello ’12, who slammed a homerun out past left field. Amy Lindland ’14 also scored for Wes after landing on first base due to a wild pitch. Allee Beaty ’13 then singled up the middle, which allowed Lindland, who was on third after stealing two bases, ample time to score. Up to bat next was Redding, who brought Beatty home. The game was called after five innings, and the teams then travelled to Williams for the doubleheader.
Played on Cole Field in Williamstown, Mass., the Cardinals started the first inning of the doubleheader by scoring two runs. However, just as quickly as they earned the lead, the Ephs evened the score. In the fourth inning, the Ephs advanced to 2-6, and at the bottom of the sixth, tallied three more runs to make the score 2-9. The Cardinals scored three more runs in the game coming off hits from Redding, Beatty, and Bello, but it was too little too late, as the Ephs took the match with a final score of 9-5.
In the last contest, Williams got seven of its nine hits in the opening two stanzas to score nine runs, then added a run in the third while holding the Cardinals at bay to invoke the mercy rule after five frames.
The Lady Cards failed to capitalize in their non-conference doubleheader versus Western Connecticut State University by losing both games by scores of 5-9 and 3-17, respectively.
Despite having a 4-0 advantage in the first game, the Cardinals could not keep hold of the lead  after Western added five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
On an optimistic note, leadoff hitter Beatty was excellent at bat in the series; she went five-for-seven and scored four runs.  Leading the Cardinals in hitting with a .429 average, Beatty also paces the NESCAC in stolen bases by nabbing 27 in 32 tries this year.  She also leads the squad in runs scored with 27.  Over the last 12 contests, Beatty has been swinging at an impressive .538 (21-for-39) clip with 14 runs and four RBI.
Despite the tough losses in the past three games, the Cardinals have a chance for redemption this upcoming weekend at Middlebury College. They look to improve their 3-3 NESCAC West record, and their overall record of 8-15.